The Dum Sor of Life

Back in Ghana for only 17 days and !wham! -- hit with the malaria bug. Let's not fret my American friends and family, it's like having the flu virus. Chills, body aches, fever, and diarrhea are the overarching symptoms that accompany the virus.

Yes, yes - I was taking my daily malaria medication, but sometimes was stubborn in spraying my body with the 40% deet insect repellent at dusk. You must,  (I repeat) MUST put on repellent along with taking the pills. Crazy me, didn't want to go to any hospital because I thought I only had a stomach ache. My best friend in Ghana and colleague, Mr. Bentum, persuaded me to get up out of the bed, allowing him to get me to the hospital for immediate care.

Sycamore Medical Center (Anaji, Takoradi) was ready to take me at midnight on Thursday and told us I had to stay for 24 hours to get anti-malaria treatment intravenously. I was no longer in any shape to argue. I stayed and thanking God I did. The attending nurse, Grace, stayed in my room with me until I clearly had passed through the worst of the symptoms. I love her for that! In America, have you ever had a nurse stay all night in a room with you? Every open-eyed moment of the night that I remember, Grace was there.

Anyway, 24 hours later and I was back at home with additional anti-malaria pills, pain medications and antibiotics. Now folks who know me, know I hate -- I mean I hate taking medicine. But, I'm taking it. Everyone here is so concerned for my well-being. My food is being prepared for me. My cleaning is being done. The puppies are being cared for. The only thing I have to do is wash my body and do my coursework. I get daily phone calls from my Ghanaian family members and neighbors

I figured, I better let my blog followers know the real deal. Don't believe the hype about malaria killing you -- it doesn't. Just be sure to get to a hospital as quickly as possible for your treatments to begin. Oh, another thing about malaria, it shows itself in various ways, so pay attention to changes in your body signals; follow the doctors orders and all will be well.

Peace Y'all    

Me -- right now, a little moist from sweating (power outage called Dum Sor in Ghana)